Updated science strategy expands Harper government’s focus on innovation
In an increasingly competitive and ever-changing world, our government knows that science policy needs to be both flexible and forward-looking. Our original Science and Technology Strategy, released in 2007, helped guide the government through significant investments across the board. Even during the global economic recession, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s commitment to funding Canadian science […]
Government could be more active in mining innovation, industry says
While some in the mining sector believe Canadian governments are lacking an innovative approach to mineral extraction, others say it is just an extremely profitable industry looking for government handouts and more effort should be paid to refining materials in the country while innovating in material reuse. In an interview with Northern Life, a Sudbury, […]
Changes to patent filing system aim to make Canada more attractive for applicants
Recent changes to the Canadian patent application system are aimed, in part, at making Canada a more appealing country to file for intellectual protection of innovators’ ideas, according to Industry Canada. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has brought in amendments to the Canadian Patent Act to bring the country’s intellectual property system in line […]
Trade secrets get in way of innovation when it comes to clean tech
Competition can be an impediment to innovation in the cleantech sector when large companies are reluctant to share their challenges with smaller innovators, industry players say. Kirk Andries, managing director of the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation (CCEMC), an Alberta funding agency that receives money from corporations in the province that are unable to […]
Unique magnetic research lab at risk of closing next year
A unique scientific facility housing the most powerful magnet in the country has received a lifeline to survive for another year. But the centre, which allows for research into magnetic resonance spectroscopy, is expected to close after that, which would be a big blow to those who use the one-of-a-kind facility. The Canadian National Ultrahigh-Field NMR […]
More investment in commercialization needed to protect innovation gains, experts say
Some people working in Canada’s science and technology sector say the government needs to invest in innovation from ideas to commercialization, and to protect the country’s past investments in innovation before they are lost. With a lack of investment in innovation from idea to commercial product, several experts say Canada will lose intelligence, talent, and […]
Most Canadians don’t understand food nutrition labels
As January comes to an end, those who vowed to eat better in 2015 have probably already given up. Not very surprising, considering that most people grossly underestimate the amount of calories they consume, and underestimate their fat, salt and sugar consumption, even after consulting nutrition labels. According to Statistics Canada, half of women and […]
Canada’s global innovation standing continues to drop, says World Economic Forum
Expanding the nation’s capacity to innovate, enhancing business competitiveness and further industry, government and post-secondary collaboration on research and development is needed if Canada wants to see improvements to its global competitiveness ranking, which has fallen once again. Canada was outpaced in the latest World Economic Forum’s (WEF) competitiveness rankings, falling to 15th place of […]
Federal scientists to mount ‘evidence-based’ campaign against government cuts, being muzzled
The upcoming election is going to be the most important election for science that Canada has seen, say the NDP and Liberal science and technology critics. NDP MP Kennedy Stewart (Burnaby-Douglas, B.C.) and Liberal MP Ted Hsu (Kingston and the Islands, Ont.) both said they think science is set to become a bigger election issue […]
Canadian entrepreneurs in good shape, more cooperative than U.S. counterparts
The government and banking industry in Canada are doing a good job at providing financing to entrepreneurs but are failing at properly communicating to the public about how to access that money, experts say. “I think it’s more of an information gap than a financing gap,” said Allan Riding, Deloitte Professor in the Management of […]
